SV1000S and the Kaw650R

[howard richman]

OK, My research still brings me to these two rides;  the SV1000SV(sport), and the Kaw 650R; which is set up mostly of what I'de want in a sport  touring ride; just kind of small! If a more relaxed slightly more upright riding position is needed for long day trips; should the SV1000S(sport) model be converted at the triple tree w/either LSL top clamps/Convetebars/(Heli's wont cut it) OR; is this common sport bike riding position in long distant comfort attainable using leg core muscles, and just take time to adjust??  
  I'm coming from BMWK1200GT, spoiled by comfort but killed by weight. The F800ST looks good, but $$12.5Kw/too much complexity(work on own bike).

                                                                                                     Help Howie...            

[TRaGiK]

As you've probably figured out by now, I own the SV1KS. I've also ridden the 650R.

For a ST rig, the 650R is mostly better suited for it. I've got 1 semi major gripe about it, and another minor gripe however. Major is the engine. For any heavy touring use, it's underpowered. The one I rode was dyno'd, and it only made 60hp. Sufficient? Yeah, but barely. It does make decent bottom end power though. Minor complaint is it's too upright. This can be cheaply fixed with some lower handlebars though.

On the SV1kS, the stock bars are too low....extremely too low. At minimum, you'll have to have Helibars. If it's still not high enough, you'll need LSL bars. Other complaints on the bike are pegs are to high if you're inseam is longer than about 30 inches (fixed by using 03 naked SV650 rear sets), the stock seat sucks (Suzuki makes a Gel seat, and Corbin and Sargeant make seats as well), no leg wind protection (OEM lower fairings are available), and big passenger will be cramped. Engine power otoh, is absolutely wonderful, at ANY RPM.

[goodhawk]

hi  - I consider the SV 1000 Excel - except tank range, haven't found a good solution to that. As mentioned, there are options for the riding position ( I go 300 -500 mi days on a bike with very similar position, just not first month of season - takes a few 200 mi rides to build up, for me)
helibars, the bars / triple clamp from the standard no fairing SV 1000 -- also, I think the standard SV 1000 's footpegs are lower, probably simple switch . . .
convertibars probably more adjustable than helibars - max 4" higher, 3" closer . . . but  $330. plus  120. or so fer new brake lines, etc . . . so making major mods a little $$$
I like looks of Kawas. Versays better than the 650R - well, OK , it's kinda funky.  5 gal tank, probably good range, I don't remember tank on 650 R . . .

You don't like standard SV 650 because . . . ? probably easy to get an aftermarket W'screen or small fairing to fit higher bars of standard model.  650 would give better range than 1000.  decent power / size for 1 not 2 riders, I'd think.

New Honda hornet 600 may be coming next spring ?  leftover 919 would be excel ?

actually, I much prefer look of Yam. FZ 1 to Suzuki, similar size, more $$$ but higher bars standard.

[howard richman]

hi  - I consider the SV 1000 Excel - except tank range, haven't found a good solution to that. As mentioned, there are options for the riding position ( I go 300 -500 mi days on a bike with very similar position, just not first month of season - takes a few 200 mi rides to build up, for me)
helibars, the bars / triple clamp from the standard no fairing SV 1000 -- also, I think the standard SV 1000 's footpegs are lower, probably simple switch . . .
convertibars probably more adjustable than helibars - max 4" higher, 3" closer . . . but  $330. plus  120. or so fer new brake lines, etc . . . so making major mods a little $$$
I like looks of Kawas. Versays better than the 650R - well, OK , it's kinda funky.  5 gal tank, probably good range, I don't remember tank on 650 R . . .

You don't like standard SV 650 because . . . ? probably easy to get an aftermarket W'screen or small fairing to fit higher bars of standard model.  650 would give better range than 1000.  decent power / size for 1 not 2 riders, I'd think.

New Honda hornet 600 may be coming next spring ?  leftover 919 would be excel ?

actually, I much prefer look of Yam. FZ 1 to Suzuki, similar size, more $$$ but higher bars standard.

  yea; well; The SV650(naked-no protection), and havn't found aftermkt type yet bolts to frame. I'm still gearing for a twin instead of an I4; just like it better. The Verseys is probably slightly better than the 650R, but too tall and never liked dual purpose type sa. the Vstroms,or GS. If I bought the SV; i'de put on top clmp w/bars, and SV naked pegs, but that fuel range still is too low. The 650R will go 160-180+mls on a tank.

                                                                                                                                       Howie...  

[skater69]

   yea; well; The SV650(naked-no protection), and havn't found aftermkt type yet bolts to frame. I'm still gearing for a twin instead of an I4; just like it better. The Verseys is probably slightly better than the 650R, but too tall and never liked dual purpose type sa. the Vstroms,or GS. If I bought the SV; i'de put on top clmp w/bars, and SV naked pegs, but that fuel range still is too low. The 650R will go 160-180+mls on a tank.

                                                                                                                                       Howie...  

Honestly, Howie......after reading what you're looking for.....your likes/dislikes.  If I were you and were into good tank mileage, lighter than 1200GT, comfortable...etc.  I would go F800ST.  I test rode one and it was great. Fast, light, comfortable, belt drive, awesome mileage supposedly.  It's luggage ready...etc.  I wouldn't try and modify an SV650 into a sport-tourer personally.  I didn't go F800ST b/c I'm an afternoon rider primarily not a touring guy.  If I was and wanted a lighter package, that's probably the bike I'd go get.

[goodhawk]

H.R.  - We seem to have similar main idea - IF I spend $10,000. or so on a bike, I want  no major ' missing features' - like short tank range . . . Only I prefer the semi classic CBR F4 riding position, which is also similar to SV 1000.  Don't like the tube H'bars, myself.

seems we both want a V Twin, good agility, fairly long range - a ' Sport-Tour' bike.  And easilly built by any company using existing parts. Well , mostly. kinda frustrating.
Example - Buell - take the new 1125 , add 2" to wheelbase - move rad. to standard position, gives slimmer ( better) looks. more fuel in frame.
Suzuki - Super easy, and I think cost would be covered with sales of a dozen bikes.  I even think with - 5.7 to 6 gal tank on SV 1000, there would have been additional sales . . .
BMW - the new 800's are very, very close.  to me, they just don't look like $11,000. bikes, and I can't even say exactly why. ( expectations ? hearing cost in England is LESS than Daytona 675 !) and the tank is small, even if given they get 55 mpg , thats about  'only' 165 mi or so before reserve. still a little short, to me.

TRI - PLEASE - 675 Tiger Cub - Same frame, engine as new 'street' - Single rear swing arm, 2" longer. 1" longer forks. Silver frame /engine.  5.3 + gal tank, similar fairing to Tiger.
TOP quality, not 'dumbed down'. cost- a little more than Daytona 675, maybe $9800.  Yea. easy.

[Spiffious]

SV1000s here.. Check out my failed farkle thread on seat reviews.
I am very happy with the bike, but only after givi cases, better seat, better bards.  Tank range for me is consistant for touring at 150 miles.  There are not too many places where this is a major problem.  You could carry an aux. tank too.  Upgrade to a zx-10 rear shock, better handling, and stiffer spring for luggage.

This bike is a sport bike, but usable for touring.

Consider also the v-strom.  I have spent some time on a DL 1000, it is very nimble, feels light (though a bit tall)... Definately worth considering.

[skater69]

BMW - the new 800's are very, very close. and the tank is small, even if given they get 55 mpg , thats about  'only' 165 mi or so before reserve. still a little short, to me.

I don't know how this is a problem.  My GL1800....I'd need to fill up every 180 miles the way I rode....personally sitting out a tank for 165 miles to me wouldn't even be enjoyable.  I like to get off the bike every 1.5 hours or so....

[goodhawk]

different strokes fer different folks - for example - riding on BRP - I can get from one end to the other with 1 stop fer gas in middle > used to be a gas station at Donnington , about half way. plus others, I think actually they have all been removed. why ? -- once I pulled off to side road - went 20 mi - no gas. now, probably if I took the other direction, in a mile there woulda been gas. with no sign, small sign, who's to know ?
And if yer in the boonies, stopping every 80 miles 'just in case' irritates me.

Personally, I just want longer range. - more important to me than if bikes goes 1/4 mile in 11.3 or 11.8. And I see no drawback to making a tank say 1 1/2 or 2 " taller - SV 1000, VTR 1000, BMW R1200 R /S. Yam. reduced the capacity in redesign of FZ1. what's the drawback ?

[TRaGiK]

And if yer in the boonies, stopping every 80 miles 'just in case' irritates me.

Personally, I just want longer range. - more important to me than if bikes goes 1/4 mile in 11.3 or 11.8. And I see no drawback to making a tank say 1 1/2 or 2 " taller - SV 1000, VTR 1000, BMW R1200 R /S. Yam. reduced the capacity in redesign of FZ1. what's the drawback ?

The short tank range of my bike doesn't really bother me, but I've got to agree with you.

Stopping every 80 or so just in case, does get annoying at times. But, I usually don't stop for "just in case". I bring a couple liter bottles of fuel for that reason. However, I'd love for my bike to hold another gallon of gas. This might sound silly, but having to stop every other day for gas (commuting back and forth to work only) gets annoying at times.

A tank that was 1/4 inch wider, 3/4 of an inch taller, and 3/4 of an inch deeper, would likely pick up more than a gallon of gas, and wouldn't be very noticable at all.

I'm still thinking of doing some sort of mod to make my air box smaller (remove the lid maybe), and either massage the floor of the tank down, or weld in a deeper sump. Even if it only gave me 1/2 a gallon, that'd still be a good improvement (~20 miles).